Leading sports medico Dr Peter Larkins has offered hope to Sydney Swans fans reeling from the shoulder injury to superstar Errol Gulden.
Although the Swans have listed Gulden's mishap as a four-month injury, Larkins is bullish that he can return earlier.
"Three months is usually the best-case scenario," Larkins told Zero Hanger.
Larkins said shoulder reconstructions invariably lead to three to four month lay-offs, with players regularly returning at the lower end of the time frame.
"It depends how many anchors are used in the surgery," Larkins said.
"The Swans have made the best decision here to get him back."
Gulden will undergo surgery this week after suffering the injury late in the win against Brisbane.
Gulden was crunched in a tackle from Lion Lincoln McCarthy during the final quarter and left the field in obvious pain.
The Swans are 0-2, but rely on their top end talent as much as anyone in the competition.
Gulden has looked super through the pre-season and was a game-breaker against Carlton in the opening round.
The Swans had no choice but to operate and stabilise the joint.
If it was late in the season they could have strapped Gulden up and hoped for the best, but that method is a lottery.
Joe Daniher famously played through a whole season with a loose shoulder as a key forward, but invariably loose shoulders pop out again.
An ankle injury derailed Gulden's season last year and the Swans paid a hefty price, missing the finals.
